HOUSTON – An attorney representing a shooting suspect is raising questions about edited body camera footage released by the Houston Police Department from an officer-involved shooting that occurred last month.
The footage, released by HPD, shows suspect Tony Underwood allegedly holding a handgun after exiting a stolen vehicle and leading officers on a chase through an apartment complex on Tierwester Street.
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Houston Police Department officials maintain complete transparency in the case, having released body camera footage from three officers involved in the April 30 incident, including the officer who shot Underwood.
Attorney Courtney Vincent, co-counsel for Underwood, points to specific concerns about the video’s presentation.
“It’s very evident if you closely watch the video that was released on YouTube, there are segments of the video and videos from multiple officers’ body-worn cameras that are spliced together,” Vincent said.
Vincent noted that the actual moment of the shooting, including the sound of gunfire, appears to have been removed from the released footage. This editing has raised concerns about the complete narrative of events.
The defense team’s attempts to obtain unedited footage have met with partial success.
“Through the discovery process, they have requested the body-worn cameras. They have received all of them but Officer Palin’s, who supposedly or allegedly is the shooter,” Vincent explained.
A show cause hearing has been scheduled for June 17, where the Houston Police Department will need to explain to a judge their reasons for not releasing the complete, unedited footage.
Vincent suggests there could be significant implications behind the department’s reluctance.
“This is speculation that it could be exculpatory, that perhaps their actions were not in alignment with police department policy or in violation of the Constitution,” Vincent said.
While police maintain Underwood was armed with a gun, his family contends he was holding a water bottle during the incident. Despite the release of the edited footage, Vincent says this crucial detail remains under speculation.
HPD officials responded to these concerns, stating the video was edited solely for length considerations. They indicated Underwood’s legal team can file an open records request to obtain the complete footage.
Underwood remains hospitalized one month after the incident and faces three felony charges.
